Air Distribution System

ABSTRACT

An air distribution system has an elongate distribution conduit which receives an axially directed air flow. At least one venting region is provided along the conduit and includes at least one aperture extending through the conduit. A control cover is mounted over the conduit so as to rotate axially about in one of the venting regions, and the cover is rotatable to selectively cover and at least partially uncover an aperture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to ventilation systems and, more particularly, concerns adjustable air distribution systems of the type useful in automotive vehicles.

Automotive vehicles are typically provided with ventilation systems that include an adjustable air distribution system in the vehicle dashboard. For example, a stream of air is typically provided from behind the dashboard through a series of vents distributed across the dashboard. Each vent includes a system of vanes which may be operated manually to direct the air stream emitted from the respective vent upward, downward, left, or right. Building the control vanes into the vents is relatively expensive, and their assembly can be unnecessarily labor-intensive.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an air distribution system which can be mounted into a panel and can provide airflow control along the panel without the need to build or assemble any airflow directing mechanisms into the panel. It would be desirable to have airflow control at a plurality of laterally spaced locations along the panel, and it would be desirable to provide such control by simply installing the airflow control system behind the panel, without having to process the panel for that purpose, other than to provide openings or vents therein for the emission of air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air distribution system has an elongate distribution conduit which receives an axially directed air flow. At least one venting region is provided along the conduit and includes at least one aperture extending through the conduit. A control cover is mounted over the conduit so as to rotate axially about in one of the venting regions, and the cover is rotatable to selectively cover and at least partially uncover an aperture.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a venting region includes a plurality of apertures circumferentially spaced on the conduit, and the cover may be rotated to selectively cover and at least partially uncover at least a second aperture.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an air distribution system includes at least a second venting region axially spaced from another venting region, so that the air may be distributed at spaced locations along the conduit.

It is also contemplated that the control cover may conform to the conduit over at least a portion of its circumferential extent to assure against air leaks. Preferably, the control cover extends circumferentially over more than half the circumference of the conduit. It may therefore be mounted over the conduit and will be retained rotatably over the conduit by virtue of its own resilience.

It is also contemplated that an aperture in a venting region may be larger in the axial direction than the circumferential direction of the conduit.

It is a feature of the present invention that the entire air distribution system is self-contained and no structure, other than a vent opening must be provided outside the system itself to control air flow. Savings can therefore be expected in avoiding the need to build control elements into the structure receiving the air distribution system. The air distribution system can merely be mounted in the structure and will provide all the necessary air flow control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing brief description and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment in accordance with the present invention, with reference to being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an air distribution system embodying the present invention installed behind the dashboard of an automotive vehicle, with parts cut away to show internal details; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, showing the central portion of the air distribution system 10, with the dashboard entirely removed;

FIGS. 3(A)-3(D), also referred herein collectively as FIG. 3, are sectional views showing the air distribution system of FIG. 1 adjusted to fully open, fully closed, and partially open (open-down and open-up) positions respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the details of the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a portion of an air distribution system 10 embodying the present invention, in this case, providing the ventilation system of an automotive vehicle and installed behind the dashboard D of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the central portion of conduit 12 (the right hand portion being shown in FIG. 1). It will be appreciated that the conduit 12 branches both left and right. At its center, it is constructed to be connected to a source of an air flow, such as a fan F, or the like.

An airflow is then created, as by the fan F, and it is introduced axially within a conduit 12, which has a plurality of venting regions 14 space axially therealong. Within each ventilating region 14, the conduit includes a plurality of elongated apertures or slots 12 a which extend through the wall of the conduit 12 to the interior thereof. The slots 12 a are spaced circumferentially about conduit 12 and permit any airflow within conduit 12 to escape radially outwardly.

Within each venting region, there is provided a control cover 16 over the conduit 12. The control covers 16 are preferably coaxial with conduit 12 and are mounted thereover so as to be rotatable thereabout. Preferably, this is achieved by constructing the covers 16 to extend circumferentially about conduit 12 for more than half its circumference. Preferably, conduit 12 and covers 16 are made of a plastic material, so that the described construction of a cover 16 permits it to be mounted easily over conduit 12, owing to its resilience, and it will then be retained on the conduit as a result of its resilience. Preferably, covers 16 are retained against the axial movement on the conduit 12, as by elastic rings, washers, or the like, or by any other conventional means.

The described construction permits and control cover to be moved rotationally so as to uncover different numbers of holes or portions thereof. For example, as may be seen in the sectional views of FIG. 3, cover 16 may be rotated to an open position (FIG. 3(A)), in which all of the apertures in the ventilating region are unobstructed, and therefore emitting air. Similarly, a cover 16 may be rotated to a closed position in which all apertures 12 a in a ventilating region are covered. A control cover may also be rotated to partially open positions. For example, FIG. 3(C) illustrates an open-down position in which airflow is directed primarily downward and FIG. 3(D) illustrates an open-up position in which airflow is directed primarily upward. It is also intended that a cover 16 may be slid axially on conduit 12 in order to achieve lateral adjustment of the air flow.

Preferably, cover 16 conforms closely to the exterior surface of conduit 12 so as to provide an effective air seal when an aperture 12 a is covered.

It should be appreciated that FIG. 1 has been cut away to illustrate the construction of conduit 12 and covers 16. In practice, conduit 12 would be concealed by the dashboard D, and only the apertures 12 a and/or covers 16 would be visible through cut-outs in dashboard D. Furthermore, only a portion of conduit 12 has been exposed. In practice, the conduit actually extends across the entire dashboard D so as to provide all the usual ventilation.

In use, as has already been mentioned, only covers 16 and apertures 12 a would be visible in the interior of the vehicle. For example, 14′ illustrates a region in which the cover is in the open position and only apertures 12 a are visible. The rightmost region 14 would have the same appearance. On the other hand, the region 14 immediately to the left would show only a cover.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

1. An air distribution system comprising: an elongate distribution conduit defined by a wall and having an axis, the conduit receiving an axially directed air flow therethrough; at least one venting region along the conduit including at least one aperture extending through the wall; a control cover mounted over the conduit for axial rotary movement thereabout in one of the venting regions, the cover being constructed to be rotatable to selectively cover and at least partially uncover the aperture.
 2. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein the control cover conforms to the conduit over at least a portion of its circumferential extent.
 3. The air distribution system of claim 1, wherein the control cover extends circumferentially over more than half the circumference of the conduit.
 4. The air distribution system of claim 1 wherein an aperture is larger in the axial direction than the circumferential direction of the conduit.
 5. The air distribution system of claim 1 wherein a venting region includes a plurality of apertures circumferentially spaced on the conduit, so that the cover may be rotated to selectively cover and at least partially uncover at least a second aperture.
 6. The air distribution system of claim 5, wherein the control cover conforms to the conduit over at least a portion of its circumferential extent.
 7. The air distribution system of claim 5, wherein the control cover extends circumferentially over more than half the circumference of the conduit.
 8. The air distribution system of claim 5 wherein an aperture is larger in the axial direction than the circumferential direction of the conduit.
 9. The air distribution system of claim 5, further comprising at least a second venting region axially spaced from another venting region, whereby air may be distributed at spaced locations along the conduit.
 10. The air distribution system of claim 9, wherein the control cover conforms to the conduit over at least a portion of its circumferential extent.
 11. The air distribution system of claim 9, wherein the control cover extends circumferentially over more than half the circumference of the conduit.
 12. The air distribution system of claim 9 wherein an aperture in one of the venting regions is larger in the axial direction than the circumferential direction of the conduit.
 13. The air distribution system of claim 1, further comprising at least a second venting region axially spaced from another venting region, whereby air may be distributed at spaced locations along the conduit.
 14. The air distribution system of claim 13, wherein the control cover conforms to the conduit over at least a portion of its circumferential extent.
 15. The air distribution system of claim 13, wherein the control cover extends circumferentially over more than half the circumference of the conduit.
 16. The air distribution system of claim 13 wherein an aperture in one of the venting regions is larger in the axial direction than the circumferential direction of the conduit. 